Back to the Roots

Chapter 8 :Agreement

Questions, answers... It was impossible for me to change anything. They would ask, and I would answer. The rules of the game had been clear from the start. Especially in his last question, I had sensed a hidden implication—he seemed to be testing me, searching for a different truth hidden between my words.

In a calm but clear voice, I said, “No, I’ve never met your father before.” Then I added, “But due to my position in the Solvange Palace, I am required to study the governance, history, and strategic positions of many countries.”

This time, his gaze shifted. With a tone that was part mocking, part inquisitive, he asked, “Your position in the Solvange Palace?”

I bowed my head and answered honestly: “I am a war strategist. I make battle plans and decide the positioning of armies. I’ve been on the battlefield numerous times, organizing troops. But let me say this before you ask: I’ve never made a plan against Tianye. Because of my known half-Tianyel heritage, I was never assigned such a mission.”

At that moment, I locked eyes with King Valen. There was a clear expression of surprise on his face.

“You... you were a commander in the Solvanya Palace?” he said, scanning me from head to toe. There was no mockery in his look—only astonishment.

“Yes,” I said. “You may not be used to female commanders here, but in Solvanya, we have many who do their job exceptionally well. Our recent successes are largely thanks to them.”

“I didn’t say anything about you being a woman,” he replied. “I just... didn’t know. I was surprised.”

I looked at him carefully. “If there’s an envoy from Solvanya in the palace, you can ask them. Anyone familiar with Solvanya and who’s been at court would definitely recognize me.”

The suspicion slowly faded from his expression. He turned to the commanders outside the chamber and called out:

“We will make a decision about her. Until then, she’ll stay in the dungeon.”

The commanders once again took me by the arms.

“King Valen!” I called out. “Please, don’t harm my uncle and cousin. They’ve done nothing wrong. Do what you want to me, but don’t touch them.”

They led me out the door. Through cold stone corridors, they threw me back into the iron-barred cell.

It felt like I’d returned to where I started. But this time, my hands and feet weren’t bound. I was pacing quietly in the narrow space. I had just escaped death. King Valen seemed to believe me… But now, I had no idea what would happen next.

They had left me behind. “We will decide what to do with you,” they had said. The king would likely consult with his commanders. And none of those commanders liked me. Worse, they had a strong influence over the king’s decisions.

I had felt relieved for a moment, but it didn’t last long. I leaned against the wall, knelt down, and closed my eyes. Even though I didn’t want to think, I couldn’t stop. I had only one goal: survival.

I don’t know how much time passed. My eyes were closed, but it was that familiar sound that woke me again: the sliding of the cell door. I must have fallen asleep.

This time, they didn’t yank me by the arm. A commander with firm steps entered and spoke briefly and clearly:

“King Valen requests your presence.”

I was surprised. No one yelled, no one shoved… Just one soldier ahead of me, and one behind. We walked quietly through the corridors.

I thought we’d be heading to King Valen’s chambers, but no… The soldiers kept walking. We stopped in front of a different, large door. It slowly opened.

Inside was a vast room. Not flashy, but not empty either. In the center stood a large, heavy table. Around it sat the king and his commanders. It was clearly a war room or council chamber.

As I entered, King Valen didn’t rise, but looked directly at me.

“We’ve been waiting for you,” he said. “I told you we’d be making a decision. We’ve spoken among ourselves.”

In that moment, something twisted inside me. I closed my eyes and said just one thing to myself:

“Oh no…”

Because if this was a vote… if their decision truly depended on a collective judgment…

Then the final verdict had likely already been made.

The six commanders gathered in front of King Valen’s throne stared at me with the same expressionless look. The air in the room was so tense I felt something inside me c***k just from breathing. The massive doors behind me had shut; there was no way out, and no going back. My voice echoed off the cold stone floor, almost startling my own ears.

“To be honest,” I said hesitantly, “some of you believe me, some think I’m a liar.”

“And even... a spy,” I added.

At those words, a ripple passed through the room. Eyes narrowed. Especially the tall commander on the right—he squinted. Another looked like he was about to speak, but the tawny-haired commander in the center—likely Lethan—spoke up loudly:

“Show respect.”

Another moment of silence. But this time, it was King Valen who caught my attention. He leaned back against his throne, tapping his fingers rhythmically. He didn’t seem to care what I had said. He neither denied nor confirmed anything. It was as if all this was mere theater to him—and he already knew the ending by heart.

An older commander stepped forward. He had a gray beard—aged, but with sharp, dangerous eyes.

“You won’t know what each of us thinks,” he said sternly. “But by unanimous decision, we’ve chosen to observe you. You’ll serve in the palace for a while.”

I didn’t avert my gaze and gathered all my courage. “Look,” I began.

But he raised his hand—cutting me off.

“The best way to observe you is to keep you in plain sight. Every move you make in the palace will be watched. You’ll do what you know best. You’ll work here.”

I paused. Swallowed the frustration rising within me. This decision didn’t seem entirely logical.

“If I were truly a spy,” I said, raising my eyebrows slightly, “you’d be inviting me right into the heart of the palace.”

My words stirred the room. Grumbling… brief, pointed looks. But the old commander smirked—or rather, his lips twitched slightly.

“No,” he said. “We’re just keeping you under close watch. Look,” he gestured to the surrounding commanders, “six seasoned soldiers will have eyes on you at all times.”

Each of the commanders he pointed at looked at me like prey. Cold, watchful, and without hesitation.

“If we catch a single misstep,” he continued, his voice now icy cold, “we won’t just eliminate you—we’ll eliminate your family too.”

That threat stood out even among all the others—sharp as a blade. My heart started pounding, but I tried not to show it on my face.

“I have a family out there. I need to help them,” I said. This time, my voice couldn’t tremble.

“Your family,” said another commander, “can manage while you’re gone. We already have information on your cousin and uncle. Besides, while you work here, you’ll receive a wage. You can support them.”

I had been caught off guard. They knew everything. My every move was already being tracked.

“I’m trying to bring my father here,” I murmured. “You know that.”

“We do,” said the young commander standing near the king. “But that’s not an issue. You can still work. In fact… the opportunities may grow. You’ll have access to palace resources.”

I could see the opportunities behind the offer. But I had no grounds left for objection. The decision had been made. With all eyes on me, I gave a short but clear response:

“Alright.”

But I took one step further.

“But first, please allow me to go see my family. I was gone all night… they must be worried.”

The king slightly turned his head. For the first time in a long while, he looked directly at me. His eyes held neither anger nor compassion. Only deep calculation.

“Very well,” said the older commander. “But first… Commander Lucas will assist you. He will go with you.”

“And of course, there’s the matter of attire,” said one of the commanders with a mocking tone. “You must wear official garments in the palace.”

I nodded. “Alright.”

He turned to the door and called out loudly:

“Soldier! Prepare appropriate clothing for Elia.”

The two soldiers by the door looked at each other. One stepped forward and turned to me.

“What kind of uniform?” he asked. “Kitchen staff? Or training hall?”

My eyes quickly scanned the six commanders lined up behind me. Their armor, embroidered sashes, and dark cloaks cascading over their shoulders were striking.

I shook my head with a smirk.

“I don’t know,” I said.

“If those are what the commanders wear... I’ll take the kitchen apron.”

My comment didn’t please the commanders much, but

I heard a faint, involuntary chuckle escape the king’s lips.

Without another word, I walked away.

Lucas came up beside me. He bowed his head and headed for the exit. As the doors opened again, the morning light flooding in blinded me for a moment. That’s when I realized: my freedom wasn’t entirely gone… but it was restricted.

Still, a thought had taken root in my mind.

Once I wore a commander’s uniform…

this place would see my true self for the first time.